November 3 holds special significance in the Catholic calendar as it is the feast day of St. Martin de Porres, a beloved Dominican lay brother who lived in Peru during the 16th century. St. Martin is known for his humility, compassion, and miraculous healing abilities. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, public health workers, and the poor. Catholics around the world honor St. Martin on this day by attending Mass, praying for his intercession, and performing acts of charity in his name.
St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579 to a Spanish nobleman and a freed slave woman of African or Native American descent. Despite facing discrimination and hardship due to his mixed-race heritage, St. Martin embraced a life of humility, service, and devotion to God. He joined the Dominican Order as a lay brother, where he worked as a barber, gardener, and nurse, caring for the sick and poor with great compassion. St. Martin’s reputation for miracles and healing grew, and he became known as the “Wonder Worker of Peru.”
November 3 Catholic Calendar
Celebrating St. Martin de Porres on November 3
On November 3, Catholics commemorate the life and legacy of St. Martin de Porres by attending Mass and reflecting on his example of holiness and service. Many churches hold special services or devotions in honor of St. Martin, encouraging the faithful to seek his intercession for healing, reconciliation, and social justice. In addition to attending Mass, Catholics can mark this feast day by performing acts of charity, volunteering at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, or reaching out to those in need in their communities. By following in the footsteps of St. Martin de Porres, believers can strive to emulate his virtues of humility, love, and compassion in their own lives.